Why did they stop making bikes like this? Trek 7500 Hybrid gets a Tuneup and becomes my favorite!
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- Опубліковано 7 лют 2025
- No fluff, just the good stuff! From the 00's golden era of Trek Bicycle manufacturing before becoming a top-tier race bike manufacturer, this higher end Trek 7500 aluminum hybrid has all the good stuff in all the right spots. The more I got to know it, the more I fell in love.
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How lucky are we for you educating us about bikes (and your great conversational humor!)🎉
I have 12 bikes but no Treks.. I’ll be adding at least 2 treks to my collection..The Original “Gravel Bike”…Thanks for the inspiration and a little bike history always enhances the next project 🚲
I was a printer all through my 20s, had to clean the print rollers and the plates etc every day with chemicals, back then totally did it bare handed, had so many chemicals on my hands on a daily basis for many years, also have been flipping bikes for over 20 years getting brake parts cleaner etc on my hands all the time and here I am still killing it on bicycles at 62 years old.
I believe it's actually a suspension seat post, not a suspension fork.
I really wouldn't like to sit on a suspension fork!
I enjoy your videos.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers
Thanks for another good episode Mr. Farmer!
Beautiful bike. One thing I like to do is apply a few patches of clear tape where the housing contacts the headtube, before it starts eating into the paint.
Just a beauty of a bike, those components look sharp glad you kept it as original. 100% capable and enjoyable for many many years of riding.
Wonderful video. I'm riding a 1992 Trek Multi-Track 7900 as my daily commuter, converted to Rival 1x11, Gilles Berthoud fenders & rando bag.
Thanks! I've been watching your channel for awhile now and just really enjoy the laid back format! I also own a stable of over the top whips I work on but totally enjoy watching you rehab these older bikes and chatting as you do so.
I still have a Trek 7500 Multi-track I bought new in 1998. It is dark green/graphite grey. Looks really smart still. I concur it is an extremely nice bike to ride. Build quality at this time for Treks was very good. The frame is very stiff but comfortable. Can ride it ALL day. However I haven't ridden it in years as like you I have other much fancier bikes, Rohloff with belt drive. I moved away from derailleur bikes as I just had had enough of them as they are Flintstones high maintenance technology. A real PITA. But your video brings back fond memories of my rides on my Trek 7500 Multi-track. Maybe I shall dig it out of my garage and go for a ride when the weather is nice.
Thank you.
Hey Andy. Glad to see another video!
By the way, I wanted to tell you that when it comes to dork disks, you are 110% spot-on. Roughly a week ago, we had a nice night for riding in my area, and while I was out, my chain over-shifted and destroyed my dork disk -- but my spokes and wheel was saved. And this, on a generic 29" hardtail that has an aluminum frame.
So, telling everybody out there, the dork disk is needed, because I keep my bike tuned, and it still overshifted going uphill. Better to replace a $7.99 dork disk, than to spend $160 on labor and $5 on new spokes and nipples.
I keep my bike tuned and have never needed a dork disc. Here at our shop we don’t use em. If your chain is dropping off the back there is something wrong. I can even make a tourney derailleur not over shift.
@@xmateinc : You can make any derailleur overshift by not having the limits right.
What I think happened is my cable stretched at just the right time, and my derailleur wasn't tuned properly with proper limits. Hence the overshift.
@@xmateinc Derailleurs get whacked and bikes fall over. Then the hanger is bent and the derailleur absolutely will overshift. If you don't know this, sorry but you're not qualified to work on bikes unsupervised.
@@mattgies if you knock your bike on your derailleur then get the hanger straightened, I’ve ridden across this nation and commute daily as I don’t own a car, never have a problem with my chain falling off because I keep it within its limits and know when something happens to it that needs fixed. So no need for a dork disc.
@@xmateinc You and I know about straightening hangers, but our customers mostly do not, and that's why they keep ripping off their derailleurs and chewing up their spokes. I don't have spoke protectors on my own bikes, but I don't remove them from customers' bikes unless by request (which is rare).
Watching your videos has been a real meditative experience for me. Thank you BikeFarmer for all the effort you put into these!
Excellent!! That’s exactly what I’m going for.
I love what you're doing, and think you might be my Bob Ross.
I'm 69, have adored bikes since I was 4½, and would love to make videos about the weird and wonderful bikes and trikes that roll through my shop.
I love that Gibs' bike shop sign,
"Free questions
$10 Answers
$20 Solutions"
Like you, I also clean every bike, every time I work on them. It's a good way for me and my customers to know I put my hands and eyes on every part, including the nether regions.😁 Happy Trails, keep on pedaling!
Love the spirit! Keep the positivity rolling forward, Big A (..see what I did there, now?)!!
All the best!
Tak!
Your patience is commendable, I wouldve changed pads long before putting in the work you did.. Salute!
I recently got a very similar era trek 720 to get myself back into biking... Inspired now to give it a tuneup myself thanks to all your tips :)
Thanks for your content, I am glad I found your channel, you have filled the hole that RJ the Bike Guy left.
Oh, I didn’t know he was off YT. I loved his videos.
@@Jeromeebhe does appear to maintain a Facebook presence but it's hard to tell if it's really him
Thanks
I am taking my bike, Specialized Sirrus from 2015, for my yearly tune-up this week. I am definitely going to get slightly wider tires, based on the video. It also needs a new cassette after years of commuting. I am lucky to live in a city next to Boston, so we have some choices of bike shops. I do miss my old Trek 7500.
Bicycles are like potato chips you can’t have just one. That bike was in great shape and it turned out beautiful I can see why you love it. Keep up the great work and stay safe out there.
Your bike service videos have the side effect of encouraging me to ride my bike! BTW I always thought it best to remove all accessories and clean my bike before taking it in for service. This way my bike guy just needs to focus on the technical issues. Also it lets him know I care about my bike so your cleaning tips are very useful.
I bought my 7500 new in 1998 and put 20,000 miles on it. I only rode it a little after 2009 when I bought my Trek Madone. I sold it in 2023 and it was still perfectly rideable, although it did need quite a bit of work by then.
Man that is a gorgeous bike and an inspiring episode (most all of the. are). Thank you so much...
I can remember back in the good old days, manufacturers used the nice, shiny chrome spoke protectors... no yellowing on those!
They're doing some in black plastic now.
Ghost buster reference….awesome! “ handy tip there Egon”! …….great movie. Great channel. Great content. Thanks, Key West Rick
I have a set of Specialized "Crossroad"s from a few years before this. Almost never ridden. Slightly lower spec (7 speed gripshift, solid seatpost, cantilevers) and chromoly instead of aluminum. I changed the tires because of dry rot and replaced the hardened brake pads with coolstop salmon. It's reliable, simple and will run really well with very little needed maintenance for the next 10 years.
Luv my old ladies Trek MultiTrack hybrid. Over the years, I have replaced the grip shifters with rapid fire shifters, installed new tires, flat pedals, a more comfy seat and grips. Still looks new.
Delivering a green MT730 to it's new owner today. Love the 700 series hybrids from the '90s
You da man, Bike Farmer! Thanks for teaching and sharing🤙!
Wowza! Thanks hey!!
I had the 7300 and rode it for several years, great bike
I like how you give all around love to bringing bikes back to life but tubes get get old and dry like tires so changing them out would be helpful
¡Gracias!
A Fuji Absolute is nice too. I bought a high end 2011 Absolute w/carbon fork used for $150. The triple drivetrain is perfect for hilly Appalachian terrain with the low gear at about 20 gear inches.
I have the same one. Well slightly newer and it became my gravel rig. Bike works great for that :)
The rear derailleur doesn't match the rest of the groupset . It is from a later generation . I have four of them in stock . I saw one of these 7500's when new at a shop I worked in at the time .
He's great ,it ain't easy all these cables 😮 and gear ratchets can sen you insane trying to adjust and run silky smooth 👌🙏😎
In addition to the tools and supplies it would be helpful if you posted links to some of the major parts you like to use. Tires, shifters, saddles, etc. Perhaps even your favorite brand of "dork disk!"
Man, this video got me. My return to regular cycling happened in 2007 when I bought a brand new Trek 7100, which is the same as this one just with cheaper SRAM components. I rode that bike to pieces up until 2019, when I replaced it with a Trek Verve 1. Replaced half the components due to them eventually breaking. I wish I still at least had the frame for the 7100, it was a great bike.
I'm still riding my Trek 7.2FX (circa 2006) and the kid is riding a 7300FX (circa 2007). 7600 and 3600 miles respectively. the wife's 2005 Specialized Expedition is at 6800 miles now. she REALLY got started riding a lot more when 'rona hit; there was plenty of time to do it, not much else to do, and we didn't want any more kids. :D
Older Trek hybrids are great, plenty of clearance for 43mm gravel tires. Nice enough frames to justify upgrading the parts as they wear out. I had the same year 7500 as in the video. But I've since upgraded to a similar vintage 750, basically the steel version of the same bike.
Dude you make so much sense. I started listening to you in like February. At first I didn't like the opinionated attitude but that grew to respect. As I realized you were just unapologetic honestly.
I myself also flip bikes well havnt made any money but im trying to build a name. Ive donated a bike to my ex step son behind moms back because she wouldn't allow it. And now im working on one for a cancer patient that lost his bike to drug addics. I myself don't drive and I fully agree in normalizing bikes. As a 34 year old licenced gas tech it sucks when people don't take you seriously because I showed up on a bike. I respect what you do on the highest level. Your work is just what you would probably be doing anyways. That's what I aspire to. You've really inspired me to TRY to open a bike clinic this summer and I'm really scared lol. Keep doing what your doing fuck all the naysayers. You taught me a lot too.
Keep up the good work, and good deeds. Like you, I worked on internal combustion stuff, and rode a bike to work everyday for a decade, also in my late 20's and 30's. I'm 69 now, still riding, repairing, restoring, and working to grow the cycling community. I wish you the best of luck with your bike clinic. Happy Trails!😁
I like the steel 750 and the 9xx steel Treks were awesome too.
I have a similar hybrid, but it wasn’t upright enough so I bought some new handlebars with a lot more lift and Man.. What an improvement that made.
I followed you cleaning, polishing and tubing procedures on my two recumbents and the results were as good as you showed, and quite easy. I went one step farther as I had a can already and used never dull on the spokes and shiny bits...they look great, one of them is 26 years old too. Thanks for the tips....
Nice! I like this bike. I would love to ride it!
I have the 7500 in that same color. Bought it new in 1998 and 26 years later it still works like a champ, even though it has never had a professional tuneup. @4:19 "It's been a minute since it's had any attention." My handlebars are wobbly, left to right. I've tightened up the quill stem as much as I dare, but it still wobbles. Should I replace the gray rubber gasket?
You may want to readjust the upper headset bearings - when you loosen the lock nut make sure to *hand tighten* the upper race with the bearings and then back off so slightly when you feel resistance.
While you're there you may as well regrease.
If it's still wobbly, it could be the actual stem. The adjustable quill stems tend to wobble and creak after a few decades.
This channel is so therapeutic, I lovethis stuff, so well explained, he’s right, these old tracks are great BIKES!
Actually, i ride fixed gear and i definitely feel an advantage to toe clips. Especially going up hills here in Seattle. I can actually pull on the upstroke.
Per brake toe-in: When I do mine I use the small size zip ties and wrap it around the rear of the pad to create a thin spacer. Then line it up, squeeze it together and tighten per usual. Using the zip tie keeps me from trying to hold too many things at once. Once tightened, cut the zippy off and done.
Hey Andy, your videos rock and I’d love to drop you off a plate of Tacos if I was in your neck of the woods!
I’m about to embark on a bike mecanics course as a job conversion and you popped up in my YT feed - so stoked with what I’m discoverin’. 👍👍.
I just bought a trek 7900 multitrack with a Shimano deore dx groupset yesterday this is perf timing lol.
Thanks!
Thanks hey!!
What a beautiful bike!
Definitely a big fan of green bikes 👌
That Kelly green 🔥
I like the color, but I prefer my Mango Yellow 98 Stumpy...has the blue Manitou Magnum shocks up front that I'll upgrade in the future....
@poppawolf26 Nice.. Yeah it's definitely time to upgrade my (Green) '98 Gary Fisher Level Betty FH1
That's a beautifull bike, nice color too.
Great stuff. I have a Trek 7000. I ordered parts to make it new and better. Excited.
Hey bikefarmer! Enjoy your videos
Theirs just somthing I love about a refreshed used bike
I currently have 3 bike all 10 years old +
I continue to shock people with my older road bike its a canadian tire aluminum frame thats all been upgraded
I really enjoy it, i commute 4 months of the year minimum
I love the color on that one! Thanks for another great video.
It looks like Schwinn Lime Green. I agree, it is a great bike. I like the new pedals.
'Better than brand new', coming to a T Shirt soon!😄
Love my 7300fx. I've pretty much swapped all the parts on it, the only stock parts left bars,stem,front deraullieur,fork,frame,seatpost.
I have one just like yours with the rare disc brake option...Early U.S.A made TREK bikes had the narrow CRO MO tubing just like a vintage bmx or race bike...Really hard to find tho ...they had SUN rims fitted....I remember seing the first generation hybrid bikes in the late 80s...a really nice shogun would set you back nearly 1000 dollars...alot of money back then...
Dude - I am loving your videos. As soon as my financial situation improves a bit I will be joining.
Hi from 509 Wa state love your vids and I do same I get bikes and try and fix them and resale them you inspire me to bike I learn alot from you
Great video again! Congratulation for your interview on wpr! 👍
Those cranks are really good😊😊😊😊😊
i like how you played u fixed the howling brakes :D
Screw pliers. Might you have a link of where to get.
I enjoy what you do. Thank you
Vamplier screw extracting pliers work great for holding screw / bolts end on. Engineer Inc also make a good version.
I'm working on an old steel bike. It's old enough that the cable stops don't have the notch that makes it possible to undo the cables, for cleaning. is it worth taking a hacksaw and CAREFULLY cutting that notch, at least for the rear derailleur? The frame will need to be repainted anyway..! Thanks!
wouldn't bother me. nail polish would keep the rust at bay for a while.
@@bkefrmr Thanks! What I meant was that I'm going to repaint that frame either way. I was worried that cutting a slot in the cable stop(s) might be, let's say structurally unsound for the cable stop itself... but the newer, slotted ones don't look any beefier, so I guess I'm overthinking this.
That's a beautiful bike. Great job!
When I have to toe the pads I use a penny on the back edge of the pad to get the spacing about right.
Takk!
Great looking bike, would love to make a gravel/commuter out of it. That frame might even fit me at 5'4". I always look for the super short head tube, where the top tube and down tube have little to no space between where they meet. There's obviously more fit determination from there, but that gives me quick look to see if even a possibility.
Extremely cool little Bike
Haha at 10:06 I thought I was a weirdo for thinking of "Wiggle It", but I guess you did too. Also they didn't exactly stop making these. The Multitrack 7X00s became the FX 7.Xs, which became the FX Xs, which are still in production.
Ope, I missed a step! In between "Multitrack 7x00" and "FX 7.x" were the "7x00 FX" range.
That's almost my bike, at least numerically. I have a 7300 (with an aftermarket BionX motor), circa 2008. The 7300 has a head tube suspension, which is the obvious difference I see.
I love that color. Have a Trek Millennia in whatchamacallit... ice blue? Really nice tradeoff with the cream decals.
Candy apple green... gotta remember that.
ps if I pester the wife and the weather's purrfect she'll join me for a short ride on her green 7300. I'm short. She isn't. But I swear that bike fits me better than any of my bikes.
That's a really sharp classic bike.
OMG...I have a Trek 750 passed down from an old mom-in-law (she and I are about the same size, I married height...) with those exact tires. Just replaced them this morning because they were getting so bad.
Stop abusing your screws on a wire wheel! Taking off the chrome like that just makes them rust quicker. Try some Evapo-rust liquid overnight, good as new.
You can use a brass (softer) or nickel wire wheel.
@@jonmccormick8683 but that doesn’t remove the rust inside the cavity. EVAPORUST is the best way but it takes hours
I use rustolium gel (can't remember what it's called ) works in 20 min.
"Love live pfas", that was a legit laugh out loud moment for me.
I have a cobalt coloured 2004 GARY FISHER TASSAJARA to build soon . All the parts for it are "NEW OLD STOCK" , period correct . Work trinkets and barters over time .
My Brother gave me his 7500, it's a great bike. Very comfortable.
I have a few aluminum dork discs, they look sweet I think.
totally agree! best bikes ever built. Had one of those through the years
I haven't sold any of my flip bikes yet 😭
On the upside my neighbor now pays me to do the brakes on his flip bikes (lower quality than mine).... Its kinda steady side work.
I have a challenging Bianchi road bicycle from 1982 to do shortly . It is white / red /yellow fade colours . Tange ultimate road tubeset .
My first new bike as an adult was a 1996 Rayleigh C-300 hybrid. Aluminum frame, shimano bottom bracket, center-pull brakes and shifters, steel fork, Weinmann rims. I rode that thing everywhere, including on my first century ride. These bikes are great "do anything" bikes and aren't fashionable, which makes their pricing reasonable.
This one is from 1998 based on the groupset . My in - law has a 1998 Wheeler 4900 with similar components .
I definitely don't need to add another bike to the herd, but have you ever considered an Ebay store for your finished bikes?
I'm watching the video as I type but these look like they're a little bit better quality than the ones that came right after? I didn't get my first Trek until early 2008 model. It still was a great bike but by that time everything had moved to China. Still I wouldn't mind having a USA made bike anyway. If I could find one in great shape or cheap enough that I could restore. I remember when I first rode it to work truck shop old-timer looked at it and said that it looked cheaply made for a Trek bike😅 namely the "sprockets" great videos man!
Enjoy these helpful videos.
nice ride
Pedros bike lust doesnt make your brakes squeal. 100 percent agree with you on toe clips. Those and down tube shifters!
I love clips, it keeps my feet locked into the right position on the pedals that corresponds with my seat height. I guess to each his own. Down tube shifters I don't miss.
Love your videos! This new one caught my eye and what really intrigues me is the Trek 7500 you tuned up here. I don't know much about Trek bikes, but I really like the geometry and in researching it, looks like it has some things I would like with more of a purpose built commuter bike......i.e. gearing, 700c wheels, etc. I did a search on Craigslist in my area and found a near exact version of this bike for sale. It is the 7500 SHX model......with the suspension fork. Asking price is $125 and it looks like in good shape. My question, if you are willing to answer, is multi-fold. I am guessing I can get the sale price down a bit, but what I think I would likely change are the seat post/seat, front fork (go conventional/rigid), and new stem. Looks like a great platform bike for my needs, but are there other bikes that would be as good but not require so many changes? Last question, does the frame have mount locations for a rear rack?
I just did exact same procedure on this same bike! I use clean green scotch bright pad on the rims for brake squeal.
toe in youre brake blocks too about 4mm on steel bikes as the bosses flex under force ,thats why we used brake boosters back in the 90s
Hey! I like my Cateye cycle computer - the basic one! speed and time of day, thats it. Its small and provides really the only information i want at a glance: my speed and the time of day.
Sram grip shifts I had those on my old trek in early 2000
Great Video keep them coming.
I have one. It's my "guest bike," as I ride a recumbent bike and trike.
I usually wip down my rims with isopropyl alcohol when they howl. Alleays works.
Thank you